Perry Bid Could Hurt Rove's Influence

The relationship between top Republican strategist Karl Rove and Texas Gov. Rick Perry has been a frosty one dating back to the 1990s. And if Perry enters the presidential race, as now appears likely, the animosity between the two could have a major impact on how Republican money is doled out for next year’s election campaigns, Politico reports.

Rove is leading a Republican effort to raise millions of dollars to defeat President Barack Obama and other Democrats. He was instrumental in building outside fundraising groups such as American Crossroads and Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies (Crossroads GPS).

But wealthy Texans, including some big-time Perry donors, have played a major role in bankrolling Rove’s cause. So what happens if Perry jumps into the presidential fray?

One donor to both American Crossroads and the Texas governor told Politico that if Perry wins the presidential nomination, his donors will stop giving to Rove. “Perry winning would be a deathblow for Rove,” the person said.